April 16, 2026, 1:15 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Currently, various factors are driving up costs in air travel. These include geopolitical crises, particularly in the Middle East, leading to increased jet fuel prices. At the same time, destinations considered safe beyond crisis areas are becoming more popular. And where demand is high, rising prices are a logical consequence. Many people who have already planned their vacations are now wondering if they might be affected by these developments—specifically, whether their already booked trips will become more expensive. TRAVELBOOK spoke with an expert about this.
Yes, Package Tours Can Become More Expensive After Booking
It may sound “unfair,” but it’s anchored in travel law: Under German law (§§ 651f, 651g BGB) and the EU Package Travel Directive, subsequent price increases are permissible under certain conditions. This is the case when they are justified by increased costs. Tour operators can therefore demand a surcharge for already booked package tours to offset higher fuel costs.
These conditions are currently met in many cases. The tense situation in the Middle East is driving up jet fuel prices. Travelers who have booked a package tour must therefore currently expect price increases.
Important to know: This does not apply to individually booked flight tickets—they cannot become more expensive after purchase. However, it is observed that some airlines are already reducing their flight offerings. As a result, flight cancellations may occur due to the current situation. In such cases, passengers may be entitled to compensation.
When You Can Withdraw from More Expensive Trips
The legal limit for price increases on package tours is 8 percent—and travelers must unfortunately accept this if it was legally established and provided for in the contract. This is explained by the Consumer Center. However, if this limit is exceeded, the law is generally on the side of the travelers. In this case, the tour operator must give customers a reasonable period to decide whether to accept the new price or withdraw from the contract free of charge. Alternatively, the operator can offer a substitute trip.
It is clear that travelers must be informed of the new circumstances in a timely manner (about 20 days before the planned trip). An unexpected price increase shortly before the vacation is therefore excluded. However, the trip may not always be free of financial surprises. Prices on-site can indeed be higher than usual.
Travel Expert on the Current (Price) Situation
Aviation expert Cord Schellenberg confirms in a conversation with TRAVELBOOK that the current geopolitical situation is already noticeably affecting the travel market. Especially classic long-haul destinations could become scarcer and thus more expensive this summer. “It looks like not all warm-water destinations will be available this summer as in previous years,” he explains.
The result: Increasing demand is concentrated on fewer available destinations—and drives prices further up. Structurally, the expert also sees distortions in the market at present. Due to the limited use of important hubs in the Gulf region, competition on many long-haul routes is weakened. “Competition on routes from Europe to Asia and Africa is currently limited,” he says. This directly affects prices and availability.
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How Will the Situation Develop?
In the long term, Cord Schellenberg expects the situation to normalize. If the geopolitical situation eases, major airlines from the Gulf region could fully resume their networks. In this context, targeted price promotions are also conceivable: “There may be promotions to make travelers aware of the functionality of the hubs again.”
It is also interesting to look at European airlines. They could benefit in the long term from offering direct connections without a stopover in the Gulf. However, the expert currently sees challenges here as well, such as operational problems and strikes that could affect travelers’ confidence.
Tips for Those Who Haven’t Booked Yet
The expert advises travelers to take a pragmatic approach. Instead of speculating on falling prices, they should review specific offers and book sooner rather than later if the price level is appropriate. “If the offered prices fit your budget, I would book the summer trip,” he assesses. Those hoping for a relaxation of the situation in the Middle East can speculate on later offers—but this is not certain.